Method and system for providing ground proximity warnings

Abstract

A conditional TAWS algorithm system and method for providing advanced warnings of potential CFIT situation which could result from predictable errant course changes.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for assisting in reducing controlled flight into terrain, the apparatus comprising: 
       a ground proximity warning system that is adapted and configured to provide warnings to a pilot of possible controlled flight into terrain situations based on at least current position, current speed and current heading of an aircraft said ground proximity warning system further making a current determination of a plurality of heading deviations from said current heading that result in a warning being issued by said ground proximity warning system if such heading deviations occur; and  
       a display adapted and configured for displaying to a pilot a plurality of prohibited headings that result in a warning by said ground proximity warning system if said prohibited heading becomes said current heading.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the ground proximity warning system further identifies a first anticipated position along a projected flight path of an aircraft and makes a first anticipated determination of a plurality of heading deviations from said current heading that results in a warning being issued by said ground proximity warning system if such heading deviations occur and said aircraft is located at said anticipated position. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said display further displays a first anticipated plurality of prohibited headings that result in a warning if said first anticipated plurality of prohibited headings become said current headings. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said ground proximity warning system provides warnings based upon current heading. 
     
     
       5. A method of reducing controlled flight into terrain comprising the steps of: 
       providing warnings to a pilot of possible controlled flight into terrain with a ground proximity warning system;  
       making a determination of potential headings that result in a warning being issued by said ground proximity warning system if an aircraft's current heading changes to said headings; and  
       displaying to the pilot a plurality of prohibitions that are based upon said determination.  
     
     
       6. A method of  claim 5  wherein said prohibitions include prohibited headings. 
     
     
       7. A method of  claim 5  wherein said prohibitions include prohibited heading deviations. 
     
     
       8. A method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of predicting an aircraft's position along a flight plan and for that position making a predicted determination of potential headings that result in a warning being issued by said ground proximity warning system if an aircraft's current heading changes to said potential headings. 
     
     
       9. A method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of displaying a plurality of predicted prohibitions based upon said predicted determination. 
     
     
       10. A method of  claim 9  wherein said predicted prohibitions are prohibited heading deviations. 
     
     
       11. A terrain awareness warning system comprising: 
       a ground proximity warning system that is adapted and configured to generate warnings based upon current speed, current heading and current location of a protected aircraft;  
       means for making a determination of potential headings that result in a warning being issued by said ground proximity warning system if a current heading of said protected aircraft changes to said potential headings; and  
       displaying to the pilot a plurality of prohibitions that are based upon said determination.  
     
     
       12. A system of  claim 11  wherein said means for making is an algorithm executed by said ground proximity warning system. 
     
     
       13. A system of  claim 11  wherein said display depicts said prohibitions as variable length bars disposed about a line representing a projected flight path. 
     
     
       14. A system of  claim 11  wherein said means for making a determination is further adapted and configured for predicting a position of said protected aircraft in a predicted flight path, for making a predicted determination for said predicted position of potential headings that results in a warning being issued by said ground proximity warning system if a current heading of said protected aircraft changes to said headings. 
     
     
       15. A system of  claim 14  wherein said means for making a determination is an algorithm executed by said ground proximity warning system. 
     
     
       16. A system of  claim 15  wherein said algorithm is a portion of software used by said ground proximity warning system to generate warnings.